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Kevin Johnston - April 4, 2014

after 39 years service to Canada

at Peter Devine’s, next to the Heart and Crown

with 70+ of his finest colleagues

 

Ode to the Hammer - by Michael Mowatt

It’s time for us to bid farewell, to our friend of many years

We’ll raise a glass to him today, and buy him many beers

With all the reprobates in tow, he’ll end up at the Fax

I’m sure he won’t remember, as this train rolls off the tracks

 

He sits here at the table, with a smile on his face

Because he knows he’s not at work, he knows he’s run the race

He’s got no pass, nor Blackberry, to vibrate in his pants,

And with his new bionic hips, let’s get him up to dance!

 

Kev’s been known by many names, I bet you know a few

We called him Captain in the field, and we were all his crew

His middle name is Gilmour; at least that’s what I hear

But you can call him Mr. Johnston, as you’re handing him his beer

 

The latest name is Hammer, but I’m not sure what that’s for

Perhaps it’s really “hammered”; ‘cause he’s been like that before

Most of you don’t know this, but I can tell you all with glee

The first nickname I heard he got, was Magnum Pee Wee

 

Kevin came to Tokyo, in his role as RTM

The visit went so very well, I'd do it all again

We headed to Roppongi, and danced upon the bar,

We bade farewell at 3am as he got into a car

 

The next day was appraisal time; we hadn’t got it done,

As going out and drinking was priority number one,

I got to work first thing at 9, and just as you would know it

Kevin dragged his ass to work at noon and said "Bad judgement, Mowatt"

 

Let’s say so long to Kevin, RTM extraordinaire

A techie and a diplomat; so suave and debonair

Raise your glass and down a toast to our colleague and our friend,

And we’ll tell him to remember that it’s the beginning not the end

 

Cheers!

Photo Credits Above: Jim Rogers Below: Ron Cooke

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© OFARTS Canada 2014 - Old Foreign Affairs Retired Technicians, Canada